Top Rated Pizza Joints in Kyoto That Locals Swear By

Top Rated Pizza Joints in Kyoto That Locals Swear By

I have lived in Kyoto for over a decade, and I can tell you that finding the top rated pizza joints in Kyoto means ignoring almost every restaurant that puts "Italian" in its English name near Kiyomizu-dera. The best pies in this city are hidden along back streets near Shijo Kawaramachi, tucked into converted machiya warehouses in Nakagyo Ward, and occasionally sitting in a corner of a train station building like it has no business being that good. Locals here care about two things: whether the dough is fermented long enough and whether the chef respects the oven. If you follow those instincts, you will eat better here than you expect in a city that rarely talks about pizza at all.

1. Pizza & Wine Cerchio (Nakagyo Ward)

This place sits on a quiet stretch just east of the Nishiki Market corridor between Shijo and Sanjo streets. It looks narrow from the outside, and the interior seats maybe twenty people across a small counter and a handful of tables. The owner spent time working in Naples before coming back to Kyoto and stubbornly insisting on using a wood-fired oven that he imported himself. The Margherita here uses bufala mozzarella that arrives by express courier twice a week, which is why the price is slightly higher than most neighborhood spots. What makes it worth it is the cornicione, that thick rim of dough that is airy and slightly charred in a way you rarely see outside of Campania. Show up early on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening when the kitchen is less crowded, and you will get a more even bake. The outdoor bench outside gets uncomfortably warm in late July and August, so take a seat inside if you are visiting in summer.

What to Order: The Margharita with bufala mozzarella. Ask for the house-made chili oil if you like a bit of heat.

Best Time: Weekday evenings around 5:30 pm before the after-work crowd hits. Weekends are packed by 7 pm.

The Vibe: Serious about the craft but not pretentious. One realistic drawback is that the dining area gets smoky if the oven is going full blast, and the charcoal smell can cling to your clothes afterward.

Local Tip: If you pass through Nishiki Market in the morning, stop by their small stall there first to try a single slice and confirm the quality before committing to a full dinner booking.

2. Zucca (Near Kawaramachi Shijo)

Zucca feels more like the kind of casual Kyoto wine bar that quietly decided it was also going to serve serious pizza. It sits on a side street just off Kawaramachi, not far from the Takashimaya and Daimaru department stores. The owners clearly prioritize wine pairing, since their list leans heavily on Italian natural wines and domestic craft pizzas that are designed to work with those bottles. The dough here is fermented for 24 hours, shorter than what you find in some dedicated pizzerias, but the result is a lighter, more delicate crust that locals who prefer less heaviness really like. The menu rotates, so what I ordered three months ago may not be available this week, but you will almost always see some version of a seasonal pizza with Kyoto vegetables like Kamo eggplant or Shogoin turnips. Service during the evening rush can slow down noticeably after 8 pm, when the wine crowd overwhelms the small kitchen, so either arrive earlier and relax with a glass or expect to wait for your order.

What to Order: The seasonal Kyoto vegetable pizza. It changes frequently, but it usually features local ingredients you will not see in a standard Italian menu.

Best Time: Between 5:30 and 7:30 pm. Avoid the peak 8:30 to 9:30 pm window unless you are planning to linger with a bottle and do not mind the wait.

The Vibe: Rustic and wine-focused. Not ideal for very large groups, since the tables are tight and the noise level climbs.

Local Tip: They sometimes host a "perfect pairing" event on the last Friday of the month. Check their signboard out front or ask any staff member if an event is coming soon. These nights sell out fast, and walk-ins are unlikely to get a seat.

3. Stand By Me Pizza (Along the Kamo River)

This one is not a sit-down restaurant. It is a street-style stand near the Kamo River, not far from the Shijo Bridge. I walked past it a dozen times before I noticed the queue on a Saturday afternoon. The operator cooks on a small outdoor oven and serves single slices folded New York style. The dough is surprisingly well fermented for a street operation, likely because the owner started in the restaurant industry before going portable. If you are looking for cheap pizza in Kyoto that still tastes like someone cared about the process, this is one of the best local pizza spots in Kyoto for that particular situation. It is ideal after a riverside walk or a day spent wandering around Pontocho Alley, when you want something quick and satisfying. The wait can stretch to twenty minutes on weekend evenings, and there is almost nowhere to sit nearby unless you squat on a low riverside wall like most of the local couples and students.

What to Order: The pepperoni slice folded and eaten on the spot. It is greasy in exactly the right way.

Best Time: Late afternoon to early evening, around 4 to 7 pm on weekends when the operator is reliably set up. Weekday schedules are less consistent.

The Vibe: Street food energy in one of the most famous spots in the city. You are exposed to weather and foot traffic, so do not expect comfort in the traditional sense.

Local Tip: Bring a small plastic bag or a container to carry your slice if you plan to eat it further down the riverbank. You will thank yourself when the oil starts dripping through the paper wrapping.

4. Sapore Italian Restaurant (Near Kyoto Station)

Sapore is not the kind of place most tourists think of when they are hunting for the top rated pizza joints in Kyoto, because it sits near the station and blends in with the cluster of midrange restaurants catering to business travelers. But local office workers who live or work around Kyoto Station swear by it, particularly for lunch. The pizza dough is made in-house and proofed for 48 hours, which yields a noticeably chewy texture. Their grilled vegetable pizza uses local Kyoto produce more consistently than similar Italian restaurants in the station area, and the portion sizes are generous enough that some split one between two people for lunch. The lunch set, which includes salad and drink, is very competitive on price and easily qualifies as cheap pizza in Kyoto by station-adjacent standards. The place gets cramped during the weekday lunch rush, when desk workers from nearby offices descend in waves, and service can feel more rushed than warm.

What to Order: The grilled vegetable pizza with the lunch set. It is filling and reasonably priced.

Best Time: Lunch on weekdays or early dinner after 7:30 pm. Avoid noon exactly on a Tuesday through Thursday.

The Vibe: Standard station-area Italian restaurant, functional and clean but not especially atmospheric.

Local Tip: Look for the lunch-only menu that is not advertised outside but shown at the table as soon as you sit down. It sometimes includes a small extra item, like a mini dessert, that is not available during dinner service.

5. Trattoria Gentile (Gion Shimbashi)

Trattoria Gentile sits in the quieter end of the Gion area, close to the Shirakawa River and the neighborhood temple. It occupies a renovated machiya, so the ceiling is high and the interior feels more spacious than the narrow facade suggests. The owner trained in Naples for several years, and the menu reflects that, but with a few nods to local sensibilities, like using ingredients sourced from Shiga or Kyoto prefecture more often than you would expect. The pizza oven dominates the back half of the ground floor, and the scent of charred dough greets you as soon as you step in. The tiramisu here is surprisingly excellent, which is a strange thing to say about a pizza place, but it rounds out a dinner nicely if you have room. Reservations are recommended on weekends, since the narrow stamping grounds of Gion make it easy to fill every seat. Be aware that the neighborhood enforces strict no-littering and quiet behavior after dark, so do not stroll out with drinks or loud voices if you are headed toward the main hanamachi district at night.

What to Order: The Diavola with spicy salami. It has enough heat to demand a cold beer or a glass of robust red.

Best Time: Early dinner on a weekday for a quieter atmosphere. If you want the full Gion lantern-lit ambiance, arrive around 6:30 pm in winter, when it gets dark early and the area is less crowded than in cherry blossom or autumn foliage seasons.

The Vibe: Warm and authentic, layered with the quiet history of a converted old Kyoto townhouse.

Local Tip: If the Shirakawa River path is not overly busy after your meal, take a short walk east toward the tiny stone bridges. This is one of the best stretches for photos and has far fewer people than the main Gion intersection.

6. Comodo Pizza (Demachiyanagi Neighborhood)

Comodo Pizza is small and casual, located in the set of eateries around eastern Kyoto near Demachiyanagi. The crowd here is a mix of university students from nearby Kyoto University and locals from the residential streets behind Kadonocho Avenue. The dough is thin and crisp, American style rather than strictly Neapolitan, which means it holds up well under heavy toppings. The selection of toppings is creative, and some combinations lean on Kyoto ingredients in subtle ways, like using miso-based sauces or local herb-infused oils rather than clinging to imported Italian flavor profiles. The prices are firmly in the best casual pizza Kyoto category, and you can eat here for less than many Western casual dining chains on Shijo Street. The downside is that the space is tiny, and the queue spills into a narrow hallway during weekend dinner periods, especially when students are looking for a break from studying.

What to Order: The miso-driven special if it is available. The rotating specials are where the kitchen experiments most.

Best Time: Late afternoon on weekdays or very early weekend dinner, around 5 pm, before the student crowd peaks.

The Vibe: Student hangout with solid pizza, not a date destination. The atmosphere is friendly but informal, and conversation noise can be high.

Local Tip: If you happen to be visiting Demachiyanagi in mid-July for the Gion Festival-related events or in autumn for the foliage at nearby Eikando Temple, stop by before your sightseeing rather than after, since getting a seat later in the evening becomes more difficult.

7. Black Sheep (Pontocho Alley Area)

Black Sheep operates in the dense corridor not far from Pontocho Alley and the back streets south of Shijo. It is a compact space with a strong natural wine list, and the pizza menu is small, usually around eight options at any given time. The approach is straightforward: use quality flour, give the dough time, and let good toppings speak for themselves. What stands out here is the use of domestic wheat alongside imported Italian flour, which gives the crust a slightly different character from strictly Neapolitan style pies. The aged ham pizza is reliable, and if they have burrata available, it arrives fresh and creamy without the excess wateriness you sometimes get from less careful handling. The place is best suited for couples or small groups of two to three people, since the counter and tables are tightly arranged. During rainy nights in summer, the humidity outside makes the narrow interior feel stuffier than usual if the ventilation is not running at full capacity.

What to Order: The burrata pizza if it is on the menu that night, paired with a glass of natural red from their small but well-chosen list.

Best Time: Early evening, around 5:30 to 7 pm, when the kitchen is warmed up but the room has not yet filled with the later bar crowd.

The Vibe: Compact, slightly moody, pizza-bar hybrid. It can feel cramped if you are sensitive to tight seating.

Local Tip: If you are exploring Pontocho at night, use Black Sheep as a waypoint rather than an endpoint. Get a slice or a pie, then continue on toward the illuminated side streets nearby without committing to a long sit-down dinner.

8. Luce Italian Bar (Central Nakagyo Ward)

Luce is a small Italian bar and casual kitchen tucked into the patchwork of back streets south of Karasuma, in an area lined with old shops and converted residences. The pizza here is Roman style, baked in square trays and sold by weight or rectangular slice. The crust is light and focused more on crunch than chew, which sets it apart from the Neapolitan and American style places elsewhere on this list. The owner keeps the menu minimal, and the lineup of toppings is deliberately restrained, often relying on high quality ham, radicchio, and straightforward tomato sauces. Because the seating is limited and the drink list is strong on Italian spritzes and simple cocktails, the place tends to fill up quickly around 8 pm on weekends with local regulars. If you walk in past that hour, you may be waiting a while unless you are content to stand at the standing counter near the front. The restroom is very compact, which is worth mentioning if you are planning to settle in for several rounds.

What to Order: The marinara or prosciutto cotto pizza slice. If you are hungry, ask for more than one portion from the display.

Best Time: Weekday evenings starting around 6 pm, or weekend early dinner at 5:30 pm, to beat the crowd of post-work diners.

The Vibe: Neighborhood bar with classy but unflashy pizza. The room is narrow, and the air can get warm when both the oven and several groups are going at once.

Local Tip: Look for the temporary sticker or hand-written note outside indicating occasional off-menu items. Some of the best versions of their ham pizza have appeared only through those notices.

When to Go / What to Know

The simplest local tip for finding the best casual pizza in Kyoto is to avoid the major tourist corridors between Kiyomizu-Gojō and Sanjo on weekends, when restaurants there tend to cater to first-time visitors and inflate their prices. Instead, head toward neighborhoods where residents actually go out on weeknights, like Demachiyanagi, the area south of Shijo near the Kamo River, and the residential pockets east of Nishiki Market. Many of these places do not take reservations or only take them by phone in Japanese, so ask your hotel or a friendly konbini clerk for help if that is an issue. Bring cash, since some of the smaller bars and slice spots may not accept credit cards after a certain hour, even if they do during the day. If you are visiting during peak tourism seasons like cherry blossom in late March to early April or autumn foliage in mid November, book your dinner spot as early as possible and expect longer waits at popular areas like Gion Shimbashi and Pontocho.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water in Kyoto safe to drink, or should travelers strictly rely on filtered water options?

Kyoto tap water is completely safe to drink straight from the tap. It is treated and monitored to Japanese national standards, and locals use it for cooking, tea, and drinking without filtration. Ordering water in most restaurants and bars in Kyoto over ice is also standard and free at places that provide non-alcoholic table service.

Are there any specific dress codes or cultural etiquettes to keep in mind when visiting local spots in Kyoto?

Dress codes even at more casual pizza and wine spots in Kyoto are generally neat and low key. Remove your shoes if you are seated in a tatami area. Avoid eating and walking through narrow historic streets, particularly in Gion and Pontocho, as it is considered rude and can damage older buildings. If you are offered an oshibori, the small towel, use it to clean your hands before your meal.

Is Kyoto expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.

A mid tier daily budget for a solo visitor typically falls around 15000 to 25000 yen. That estimate covers a midrange hotel or guesthouse at around 8000 to 12000 yen per night, a casual lunch for about 1000 to 1500 yen, a dinner pizza meal for 2500 to 4500 yen if you include a drink or two, and transportation plus entry fees of around 1000 to 2000 yen depending on how many sites you visit.

What is the one must-try local specialty food or drink that Kyoto is famous for?

Yatsuhashi is probably the most universally recognized local specialty food. It is a sweet, chewy confection made from glutinous rice flour and sugar, often flavored with cinnamon. You will find freshly made versions sold near major shrines and temples in Kyoto, and they are popular as souvenirs because they are inexpensive and easy to carry.

How easy is it to find pure vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based dining options in Kyoto?

Kyoto is historically famous for shojin ryori, the Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, so you will find legitimate plant based restaurants in temples and surrounding areas. Still, many standard pizza or Italian menus in town may use chicken broth, pork products, or fish-based sauces, so you should clearly state your dietary restriction when ordering. Some newer pizzerias and foreign food spots in the central city now label vegetarian and vegan options, but availability on traditional menus is inconsistent.